Planet Computing Announces Clarity for Newton 2.0.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 1996--Planet Computing(tm) today announced Clarity(tm) for Newton 2.0, a diagramming program which allows the user to drag and drop pre-defined shapes onto the MessagePad's screen.

"Clarity is the fastest and easiest way to create diagrams on a Newton 2.0-based PDA. We've received input from people that can't draw a straight line to those that make their living producing technical drawings. They are overwhelmed by Clarity," said Mark Collins, Chief Technology Officer for Planet Computing.

Clarity will be available March 1, 1996 at a suggested retail price of $149. Clarity may be ordered directly from Planet Computing at 1-800-499-1006, or can be downloaded from Planet Computing's web site at http://www.aplanet.com and evaluated free of charge for 30 days. After 30 days, the user will be given the option to register Clarity by calling Planet Computing. "We're giving customers the option of receiving Clarity two ways: the traditional box with diskettes and manual, or by downloading the product and paying for it with a credit card over the telephone" said Collins.

Distributor pricing is available, and distributor agreements are being negotiated in Canada, UK, Germany, Philippines, Malaysia and Australia.

Clarity has been optimized for the Newton 2.0 operating system, allows layering of objects (limited only be the systems memory) and also provides an underlying database that allows the user to assign multiple properties such as model, cost, price, dimensions, etc. to each object. By providing this database, Clarity allows users to create Intelligent Diagrams(tm), which can speed the creation of documents such as parts lists, price quotes, etc. Clarity can also be used in either portrait or landscape mode on the MessagePad.

Although Clarity is very powerful, Newton users will find Clarity easy to use. For example, in just a few minutes, an office facilities manager could diagram an office layout including furniture, cubicles and computers, just by dragging Clarity's assortment of pre-drawn objects to the desired spot on the screen. And the diagram could be more than just a picture, it could contain information on every object in the diagram.

Clarity comes with more than 100 pre-drawn objects, provided on six separate templates. The templates are:

Basic shapes

Flowcharting

Business Process Engineering

Local Area Network Template 

Office Space Planning Template

Architecture/Remodeling Template

Clarity also includes the Intelligent Object Creator(tm) and the Intelligent Template Creator(tm) which allows the user to create their own customized objects. Planet Computing is making the Intelligent Object and Template Creators available on its web site free of charge. Several third parties are already developing Clarity objects for a variety of vertical markets.

"Our goal was to create a useful tool that could be used by thousands, and we've done that with Clarity" continued Collins. "By combining the power and portability of Newton 2.0 with the intelligence of Clarity, businesses of all types now have a tool that helps their staff do a faster, better job. The possibilities are endless."

Users will be able to download their Clarity diagrams in PICT format and data in tab delimited format to the Macintosh or PC. A future release will include direct integration to desktop CAD.

Planet Computing has developed Clarity in a joint venture with Stand Alone, a premier Newton application developer in the USA. Stand Alone is the producer of Wake Up Week, Speed, DateMan and other Newton Shareware applications. "The decision to jointly develop Clarity with Stand Alone was made on the basis of their knowledge of Newton programming and the quality and performance of their products. We are very excited about our relationship with Stand Alone," said Collins.

"When I was approached by Planet Computing to work with them on Clarity, I knew immediately that this was a project that we wanted to do," said Ben Gottlieb, President of Stand Alone. "Clarity takes Newton to the next level, bringing object manipulation and database technology to a mainstream application. This is a killer app," added Gottlieb.

Formed in 1995, Planet Computing's mission is to become the leader in developing and marketing software and hardware for Newton-based PDAs by providing excellent products and services for its customers and by maximizing shareholder value. Information on the company and its products can be requested by calling 512-251-0426, visiting its web site at http://www.aplanet.com or sending e-mail to [e-mail]. -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Screen shots of Clarity are available in TIFF, BMP or JPG format. To request these files, please call Mark Collins at 512-251-0426 or email [e-mail].

Planet Computing disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Planet Computing, the Planet logo, Clarity, Intelligent Diagrams, Intelligent Object Creator and Intelligent Template Creator are trademarks of Planet Computing, Inc.

CONTACT: Planet Computing, Austin

Roy Gatling, 512/251-0426

[e-mail]